Particulate matter & acute respiratory infection in child outpatients

In the battle against climate change - our greatest health threat, deteriorating air quality emerges as a silent assassin. Shockingly, approximately 1 in 10 deaths among children under-five is linked to the deleterious effects of polluted air. Today, Pakistan claims the title of the world's second-worst air quality offender, scoring a hazardous Air Quality Index of 209.

The elevated pollution levels significantly elevate the chances of ailments like asthma and various respiratory viral infections, from the common flu to measles, mumps, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Additionally, allergies present a crucial confounder in this context, further complicating the health risks associated with poor air quality.

Compared to adults, in children, respiratory rate and minute ventilation are higher for any given weight which increases the risk of pollutant and aeroallergen inhalation. Their airways are narrower which amplifies the untoward effect of epithelial inflammation and airway reactivity. Addressing the comprehensive impact of air pollution, climate change, and allergic reactions is paramount in understanding the complex interplay of factors influencing paediatric respiratory health. 

Recognising the critical void in understanding the direct impact of outdoor air pollutants, particularly in regions like Islamabad where air quality concerns are pronounced, this study aims to fill this gap. Through rigorous investigation and analysis, we endeavour to inform policy decisions, public health interventions, and climate mitigation strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse health effects of air pollution and allergies on the most vulnerable members of society. 

To investigate the temporal correlation between fluctuations in outdoor air quality and the frequency of healthcare facility presentations among children under five, primarily diagnosed with acute respiratory infections, in both peri-urban and urban areas of Islamabad. This study aims to analyse the short-term effects of particulate matter on paediatric respiratory health, considering the interplay of air pollution, climate change, and allergic reactions.